Henry IV and the Towns: The Pursuit of Legitimacy in French Urban Society, 1589-1610

by S. Annette Finley-Croswhite

Overview

This book is the first serious study of Henry IV's relationship with the towns of France. Rejected by a majority of his subjects because of his Protestant faith, Henry spent the early years of his reign conquering his kingdom through the use of force, persuasion, bribery, and conciliation. By reopening the lines of communication between the crown and the towns, he strengthened the French monarchy. Thus while this book is not a biography of the King, it offers an in-depth analysis of a crucial aspect of his craft of kingship.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780521620178
Publisher:	Cambridge University Press
Publication date:	08/19/1999
Series:	Cambridge Studies in Early Modern History
Pages:	238
Product dimensions:	5.98(w) x 9.02(h) x 0.67(d)
Lexile:	1620L (what's this?)

Table of Contents

Acknowledgements; Introduction: 1. France in the 1580s and 1590s; 2. Brokering clemency in 1594: the case of Amiens; 3. Henry IV's ceremonial entries: the remaking of a king; 4. Henry IV and municipal franchises in Catholic League towns; 5. Henry IV and municipal franchises in royalist and Protestant towns; 6. Clientage and clemency: the making of municipal officials; 7. Urban protest in Poitiers and Limoges: the pancarte riots; 8. Municipal finance and debt: the case of Lyons; Conclusion: Henry IV, urban autonomy and French absolutism; Bibliography; Index.

Editorial Reviews

"Owing to its clear thesis and solid archival foundation, this book will be the benchmark by which all future research on the subject will be assessed." Religious Studies Review

"Henry IV and the Towns is well researched and clearly written. It is a welcome addition for historians and graduate students interested in Henry IV's reign, urban history, and the evolution of French absolutism." Dalia M. Leonardo

"...important new study...Finley-Crosswhite's book presents us with a richly nuanced interpretation of perhaps the most significant moment of transition in the evolution of the early modern French state and political culture. Through careful argumentation backed by solic documentation, Finley-Crosswhite offers scholars and students alike new insight into the dynamics of early Bourbon rule in France following the chaos of the Wars of Religion. As such, it stands as a significant contribution to the field that this reviewer highly recommends." Sixteenth Century Journal

"A. Annette Finley-Crosswhite offers a study that puts her in the ranks of revisionist historians who seek 'to understand absolute monarchy as it was in practice, rather than as it was in judicial theory'. Her argument is believable because of the extensive archival research upon which it is based. Her careful exploration of individual incidencts and situations makes the book extremely readable and it is recommended for all scholars interested in early modern French history." American Historical Review

"A selective case study of various French towns solidly based on research in a number of municipal archives, this carefully crafted work is a model of modern scholarship and deserves an educated readership. Recommended for upper-division undergraduates and above." Choice

"Scholars of the period will welcome this useful and expertly rendered edition." Journal of Modern History

"...this carefully crafted work is a model of modern scholarship and deserves an educated readership." Choice

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